The R159 billion opportunity for South African retailers

• Online retail revenue in South Africa is expected to grow 22.5% to R159 billion in 2026, accounting for 10% of the total national retail turnover.
• The barrier to broader participation in online shopping in South Africa is no longer access but confidence, with 70.4% of lower-income consumers having internet access but only 23.9% shopping online.
• Secure and accessible payments are seen as crucial to turning connectivity into participation, with retailers using marketplaces, fulfilment services, subscriptions, loyalty programmes and advertising to improve the economics of digital operations.